OT - Keegan Quits. Again.

[Chambers2]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/footbal ... 593683.stm

Keegan's future remains unclear

Kevin Keegan's future as Newcastle manager remains uncertain, despite assurances he has not quit the club.

His second spell at the helm looked to have ended after only eight months amid claims he had clashed with owner Mike Ashley over transfer policy.

But the Magpies insisted he had not been sacked, while the League Managers' Association said he had not quit.

"Newcastle Football Club and its fans are massively important to Kevin," said LMA chief executive Richard Bevan.

Bevan revealed he had spoken at length to Keegan, 57, on Tuesday evening.

"He has not resigned, he's in a difficult position and he'll be discussing important issues with the Newcastle board over the next few days," Bevan told BBC Radio 5 Live.

He added that the LMA will keep supporters, media and other stakeholders within the game fully informed of developments.
Keegan's future came under the spotlight after he made his feelings plain over the Premier League club's summer transfer activity at a meeting on Monday.

Following those talks, he was again summoned by the hierarchy on Tuesday morning as rumours of his exit started to surface.

BBC Sport understands Keegan had at one stage left the club, although Newcastle issued a statement later on Monday, insisting he was still their manager.

"Newcastle United can confirm that meetings between members of the board and manager Kevin Keegan were held both yesterday (Monday) and today (Tuesday)," it read.

The club wants to keep progressing with its long-term strategy and would like to stress that Kevin is extremely important, both now and in the future.

"Newcastle United values the effort and commitment shown by Kevin since his return to St James' Park and wants him to continue to play an instrumental role as manager of the club.

"For the avoidance of doubt, the club has not sacked Kevin Keegan as manager."

The cause of the latest crisis at St James' Park seems to centre on Keegan's unhappiness with the club's relative lack of signings in recent weeks.


Report: Keegan confusion hits Newcastle
He had voiced his belief on Friday - after winger James Milner's £12m departure for Aston Villa - that he would have three or four more players at his disposal by midnight on Monday.

In the event, only striker Xisco and loan signing Ignacio Gonzalez arrived on Tyneside, while troubled midfielder Joey Barton was the subject of an unsuccessful approach from another top-flight club.

The role of former Leeds manager Dennis Wise, who occupies the position of executive director of football at the club, is another subject likely to have been under discussion at the meetings.

Following news that Keegan's position was under threat, Newcastle supporters flocked to St James' Park on Tuesday to register their support for the manager and protest against Ashley, calling for him to step down.

It was a very different reaction for Ashley back in June 2007, when he was deemed the club's saviour after completing a £135m takeover.


Angry Newcastle fans gathered outside the ground during the day
He then sacked Sam Allardyce as manager at the start of 2008 after a run of poor results and shocked the football world by bringing back Keegan for a second spell in charge.

In his first stint as manager, between 1992 and 1997, he saved the Magpies from dropping into the third tier of English football and almost guided them to the Premier League title in 1997.

Keegan's relationship with Ashley was also not helped when in May the manager said he did not believe Newcastle could become a top-four club.

The Magpies currently lie 11th in the table after a positive start to the new campaign.

After drawing 1-1 with Manchester United, they beat Bolton 1-0 before losing to Arsenal 3-0.

[Captain Hook]

Has there been a statement yet? Ashley wants a buyer, this 'man of the people' shit doesn't wash.

See the fat git downing pints in the crowd. Real class act.

[Matt W]

When was the last time Newcastle made any headlines for anything they did on the pitch....????

[Khaosai-Galaxy]

Has there been a statement yet?

Yes, he said he didnt try and fiddle with that young in that lay-by

[banjo]

When was the last time Newcastle made any headlines for anything they did on the pitch....????

When Dyer and Bowyer all of a sudden thought they were boxers

[Chambers2]

When was the last time Newcastle made any headlines for anything they did on the pitch....????

When Dyer and Bowyer all of a sudden thought they were boxers

shot son

[Matt W]

And Newcastle fans can be priceless. One was threatening to complain officially to Radio Five Live because the presenter thought some comments about their troubles was funny. Get over yourselves... :)

[Wales]

99% are well over ourselves and are fully aware that we've gone form one laufghable fat chairman to another. Cant see him sitting with the fans at the enxt away game.

John beresford was on the telly last ngiht, what a prize-tit.

"theres only one manager in the world that can manage this club and thats kevin keegan" - what ?

[DavidPayne]

Allardyce would have fettled them.

It might not have been so pretty but he would have fettled them.

The club is sick, directionless.

[Captain Hook]

...only the West Ham fans are more deluded. Sorry Wales, I know you're a realist but most aren't, just listen to TalkSport.

And with regards the Hammers.....

Curbishsley got them to fourth with half the team sold or missing. Last year they were tenth with half the side missing and fans wanted him gone because West Ham should "play more attractive football"....feel sorry for the guy.

Fair enough wanting to pass the ball more, but if that's the worst of your problems I'd gladly swap, I support Wrexham

[johnty1888]

The Mags fans have always been a fickle bunch. It makes me laugh when they harp on about "best supporters in the country etc". I remember the period between Beardsley/Waddle etc leaving the club and KK returning as manager 1st time they were getting 14-18000 at home games......................................Where were the "best" supporters then???

[DavidPayne]

I went to see Newcastle v Millwall about a month after KK tookover and he had 18,000 in then.

From memory

Kristjensen-Kilcline-Howey-

Garland-McDonagh-

Kelly

I think Newcie lost 1-2

[Counter-puncher]

I went to see Newcastle v Millwall about a month after KK tookover and he had 18,000 in then.

From memory

Kristjensen-Kilcline-Howey-

Garland-McDonagh-

Kelly

I think Newcie lost 1-2

i guess they did pretty well considering they only had 6 players on the field by your count

[Mensa07]

just reading on the news apparently David Moyes is being 'considered' for the role.. the arrogance astounds me. I'm biased, being an everton fan, but who do newcastle think they are, do they have delusions they're a top club or something? Why, would moyes leave the team he finished 5th with last year to go and take up the reigns at that hell hole?

[Chambers2]

just reading on the news apparently David Moyes is being 'considered' for the role.. the arrogance astounds me. I'm biased, being an everton fan, but who do newcastle think they are, do they have delusions they're a top club or something? Why, would moyes leave the team he finished 5th with last year to go and take up the reigns at that hell hole?

because Evertons coffers contain 3 buttons, a half eaten Mars Bar and screwed up reciept...... mind you in saying that Ashley has lost a shit load of his fortune as well and he doesn't seem to spending to freely

[Syntax Error]

I'm glad Kevin 'No Mas' Keegan never took up boxing!

That man couldn't even finish a fish soup starter at a restaurant!

Seriously though, for once, I agree with his latest walkout - The Newcastle board have treated him like a schmuck!